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Weatherization Assistance Program

How to apply for weatherization in California

To see if you are eligible, call the Department of Community Services and Development by phone at 866-675-6623 or via email.

Number of Homes Weatherized

2000: 3028  2001: 3208  2002: 4925  2003: 4147  2004: 4016  2005: 4066  2006: 4425  2007: 3661  

DOE Funding for Weatherization
(In U.S. Dollars)

2000: 3731841  2001: 4238044  2002: 6374011  2003: 6184856  2004: 6295195  2005: 6322844  2006: 7085364  2007: 5624334  2008: 6265676  2009: 14161143  

California Recovery Act Funding - Weatherization Program
$185,811,061

California Weatherization and Low-Income Energy Programs

California Weatherization

California Contacts

The California Weatherization Assistance Program through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides free weatherization services to improve the energy efficiency of homes, including attic insulation, weather stripping, minor housing repairs, and related energy conservation measures.

Profile of California Weatherization Recipients
Total number of households receiving assistance in 2006 11,964
Percent elderly 22%
Percent with children 34%
Percent with disabilities 10%

California Weatherization Overview

The Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center (WAPTAC) publishes a summary of funding, contacts, and links to state directives for local weatherization agencies involving standards for service.

Energy and Low-Income Heating Assistance (LIHEAP) in California

Complete List of California's Low-Income Energy Programs

The National Energy Accessibility and Affordability Project (NEAAP) publishes a complete list of the programs available to low-income households in the state, including those funded by federal and state governments, California utilities, and charities. NEAAP publishes this list as part of the LIHEAP Clearinghouse, which is maintained on the National Center for Appropriate Technology Web site and receives support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The list also includes LIHEAP contacts in California. Under federal rules, California can use up to 25% of its LIHEAP funds for weatherization.

State Energy Assistance Programs

California has the following programs available:

  • CARE Residential Single Family Program
    This program is available to single-family, low-income customers with their own accounts. If your household meets the requirements, you can apply to receive a 20% discount on your Pacific Gas and Electric Company bill every month and an exemption from recent surcharges.
  • The California Energy Commission Energy Bill Assistance Program
    The commission provides links and contact information to the following utility companies and nonprofit organizations offering energy assistance.

California Publications and Links

Some of the following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

DOE Publications

Weatherization Shines in California (PDF 117 KB)
DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program publishes this short fact sheets summarizing accomplishments and funding statistics; 2 pp.; October 2001.

California Publications

Home Energy-Saving Checklist
The Pacific Gas and Electric Company publishes an online list of tips for possible energy-savings.

More Weatherization Publications

WAPTAC Library
Search the Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center library for publications.